NEW DEAL: Essex star Ravi Bopara is staying with the county

Former Brampton Manor boy pledges his future to the county for the next two years

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FORMER BRAMPTON MANOR schoolboy Ravi Bopara has signed a new two-year-deal with Essex, with Paul Grayson believing it is the “best signing” he could make ahead of the new season.

Talks between the two parties had been going on for some time, with the contract offer on the table since early September.

Head coach Grayson was never worried about the delay, sighting the player’s current involvement in domestic cricket in South Africa as one of a few stumbling blocks.

“The signing of Ravi’s contract has been an ongoing problem throughout the close season due to a number of factors,” he said.

“Such as his compensation package with IPL being resolved and of course Ravi currently playing cricket over in South Africa.

“The signing of the contract was never in doubt, but it was something that just took time.

“Ravi is a massive player for us in all formats of the game and he is determined to help us win back promotion from LV County Championship Division II. He is a very popular member of the team and is the best signing we could have made for the upcoming 2011 season.”

The county had already boosted their batting options with the signings of former Middlesex batsman Owais Shah, and the re-signing of New Zealander Scott Styris for the twenty20 campaign.

“The future is looking very bright for Essex Cricket and we are looking forward to the start of the season in April,” added Grayson.

The all-rounder was in strong form for the county he has been with all his first-class career, since coming through their academy.

In the County Championship Division One he averaged 42, with strong showings in both shorter forms of the game, averaging 74 in one-day and 34 in twenty20.

Bopara is currently spending his winter playing in South Africa for waZulu-Natal Dolphins.

He averaged 42 with the bat last season as Essex were relegated from the County Championship Division One, but showed his prowess in the shorter version of the game with averages of 77 and 34 in one-day and twenty20 cricket respectively.